Hole shield

ABSTRACT

The shield is constructed so as to snap into a painter&#39;&#39;s hole or like aperture in a structural member such as a bridge girder. The shield is constructed of plastic and has a pair of flexible retaining means at opposite sides which allow the shield to snap into the aperture of the member. The main section of the shield can be made of a mesh construction so as to permit the passage of air therethrough and avoid flutter or can be of solid construction.

United States Patent Irvine 1 HOLE SHIELD [72] Inventor: Chester A. Irvine, Chatham, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Chatham Container Display Corp.,

Chatham, NJ.

[22] Filed: June 29, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 50,375

[52 us. Cl. ..160/368, 49/465, 52/220, 52/509, 52/626, 52/656 511 Int. Cl ..eosc 21/92, E04f 1910s [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gouge ..52/507 [151 3,692,084 1 Sept. 19, 1972 2,955,689 10/ 1960 Hicks ..52/507 3,546,844 12/ 1970 Schwartz ..52/509 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,151,255 1/1958 France ..52/658 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [5 7] ABSTRACT The shield isconstructed so as to snap into a painters hole or like aperture in a structural member such as a bridge girder. The shield is constructed of plastic and has a pair of flexible retaining means at opposite sides which allow the shield to snap into the aperture of the member. The main section of the shield can be made of a mesh construction so as to permit the passage of air therethrough and avoid flutter or can be of solid construction.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HOLE SHIELD This invention relates to a shield. More particularly, this invention relates to a shield for a hole in a structural member. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a shield for covering over paint holes in bridge members. 1 It has been known that various structural members such as steel girders which have been used in modern truss-type bridge construction have been provided with a great multiplicity of holes in order to enable the painting of the insides of the members. Generally, after painting of the members, the holes have been covered over so as to prevent the entry of birds and animals into the interior of the members. This has been necessary in order to prevent the excretment of such birds and animals from corroding the members at a faster rate than otherwise. I-Ieretofore, the covering techniques which have been employed utilized wire builders blanket which is formed and shoved into place in the hole and anchored with a piece of welding rod. This technique has, however, been time consuming. Also, the material from which the covers are made have frequently scratched the newly painted bridge suchthat the resultant scratched surface has facilitated rather than prevented corrosion.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a shield for the holes in a member such as a bridge girder which can be put in place in a relatively simple and rapid manner.

It is another object of the invention to provide a shield which is of simple construction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a shield of one piece construction which can easily be snapped into place and retained therein in a secure manner.

Briefly, the invention provides a shield for covering over a hole or aperture in an apertured member, such as in a bridge girder, an air duct, light duct, and the like. The shield includes a one piece body of substantially flat profile which has a peripheral ring section and an integral section therein of mesh or solid construction. The shield further includes at least one flexible resilient means which extends outwardly for clamping of the shield in the aperture of the member. To this end, the retaining means is integrally hinged to the ring section and includes a pair of flanges to clamp the member therebetween.

In order to position the shield within the aperture of a member, any one of a number of techniques can be used. For example, in one case the retaining means is manually or otherwise flexed so as to pass through the aperture. Thereafter, when the ring section comes into abutment with the member, the retaining means will resiliently engage against the opposite side of the member so as to secure the shield in place. In another case, the shield can be flexed to permit entry of the retaining means into the aperture so that subsequent flattening of the shield allows the shield to snap into engagement with the member. Should it be necessary to withdraw the shield from the member, such can be pulled from the aperture while the retaining means is resiliently flexed to permit removal.

In one embodiment, the shield is constructed with a pair of retaining means on opposite diametric areas of the shield so as to facilitate placement and removal of the shield. Additionally, the retaining means includes a pair of flanges which add to the clamping action of the shield on the structural member by clamping the member therebetween.

In still another embodiment, the main body portion of the shield is formed of mesh like construction by utilizing struts. These struts are spaced apart so as to permit the passage of a painters fingers so that removal of the shield can be facilitated when required for painting. The spacing of the struts is sufficient to prevent the entry of birds or animals into the structural member. Furthermore, the struts can be shaped in a manner so as to reduce wind resistance and avoid flutter in high winds.

The shield can be made of any suitable materials, such as plastic materials of resilient nature. Further, the shield can be made of any particular overall shape as desired, for example, oval, circular, rectangular or the like shapes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent. from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. -1 illustrates a plan view of a shield according to the invention; 1

FIG; 2 illustrates a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a retaining means taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a junction of two struts of the shield of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the shield 9 is formed of a one piece body of substantially flat profile and e.g., oval shape. The shield 9 has ,a peripheral ring section 10 and an internal section 1 1 of mesh construction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ring section 10 is of generally flat annular shape with a radial flange l2 and a depending lip 13 extending therefrom. The lip 13 extends about the ring section 10 substantially for the entire periphery except for the interrupted areas as described below. The lip 13 serves to locate the shield 10 within the aperture 14 of a member 15, such as a bridge girder plate or box girder. The internal section 11 is formed of a grid-like construction by a plurality of struts 16 which are disposed in a criss-cross pattern and which have spaces therebetween which are sufficient to permit the passage of the fingers of a work man. The struts 13 extend across the opening defined by the ring section 10 and, as shown in FIG. 2, merge integrally onto the top surface of the ring section at opposite ends. This grid-like construction allows air to flow through the shield so as to prevent condensation within the member.

Referring to FIG. 4, the struts 16 form cruciform junctions throughout the internal section 12. Referring to FIG. 3, the struts 16 are further shaped so as to reduce wind resistance and to prevent flutter under high winds, e.g., winds of miles per hour. For example, the individual struts 16 are provided with a diamond shape cross-section.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the shield 9 is further provided with a pair of retaining means 17 which are integrally hinged to the ring section 10. Each retaining means 17 is formed with a leg portion 18 integrally hinged to an innermost section of the ring section 10 and a foot portion 19 which is disposed in angular relation to the leg portion 18 to extend upwardly towards the projected plane of the ring section with a free rounded end of the foot portion 19 spaced slightly from or in the plane of the ring section 10. Each of the leg portions 18, like the remainder of the shield, is formed of resilient material. In addition, the leg portions 18 are sized so as to be flexible and pivotable about the zone of juncture with the ring section 10. Further, in order to enhance the flexibility of the leg portions 18 one or more apertures 19 are formed within the leg portions 18.

In order to further facilitate the securement of the shield 9 in the member 15, each retaining means 17 includes pairs of tabs 20 on each side of the shield in the diametric areas occupied by the retaining means 17. These tabs 20 are located adjacent to the retaining means 17 so as to dispose one leg portion 18 between each pair of tabs 20. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, each tab 20 is formed from the ring section 10 to extend outwardly and downwardly of the remainder of the ring section 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the ring section 10 is reinforced by extending inwardly of shield 9 along the inside areas of the tabs 20 and leg portions 18. In this way, the leg portions 18 and tabs 20 are buttressed against failure due to fatigue of the material at the respective joints of the leg portions 18 and tabs 20 with the remainder of the shield 9. The tabs 20 are also disposed on the same side of the shield 9 as the leg portions 18 so that upon clamping into the member, the leg portions and tabs serve as flanges of the shield 9 to clamp the member therebetween and further aid the clamping force of the shield on the member to reduce flutter. The displacement of the tabs 20 from the annular flange 12 of the ring section 10 also permits different thickness of members to be accommodated. Alternatively, the tabs 20 can be eliminated along with the related clamping effect where such is not required in a particular installation.

In order'to position the shield 9 over the aperture 14 of the member 15, the locating lip 13 is initially positioned over the aperture 14. Next, the leg portions 18 of the retaining means 17 are pushed inwardly of the shield 9 and passed through the aperture 14. When released, the leg portions 18 spring forward against the inside surface of the member 15 so as to clamp the shield in place with respect to the member 15. At the same time, the tabs which are initially disposed out of the plane of the flange 11 of the ring section 10 are flexed into the plane of the flange 11 so as to create a further clamping force between the hooks 17 and tabs 20.

Alternatively, in order to insert the shield 9 into aperture 14, the shield 9 can be flexed into an arch longitudinally thereof about the longitudinal axis. Then the leg portions 18 are inserted into the aperture 14 of the member with the locating lip 13 serving to properly orient the shield 9 over the opening 14. Thereafter, the pressure used to arch the shield 9 is released causing the shield to snap into place. The shield 9 will then be flush with the face of the member.

The invention thus provides a shield for the holes or apertures of various members such as girders which can be easily snapped into place and removed. The shields are of a unit construction so as to be easily manipulated by an individual and of a configuration to be inserted flush into the structure. For example, the shield can be of a 19 inch length and 14 inch width with a mesh opening of 17 by l9 7% inches. Furthermore, the shield mesh is sized so as to prevent the entry of birds and animals into the end of the structural members so as to reduce corrosion which may otherwise be caused by such birds and animals.

The shield can be made of any suitable material. For example, the shield can be made of a high density polyethylene plastic material. Such materials can be suitably improved to provide for greater weatherability of the material as is known. Furthermore, such materials can be of such a nature as to be substantially unaffected by wide temperature ranges such as from minus 30 to plus F. Further, various colors may be impregnated in the material so as to blend the shield into the color scheme of the installation in which it is placed. Also, the material of the shield is such as to reduce the possibility of scratching of a newly painted member when put into place.

It is further noted that, since the shield can be snapped into place, a minimal amount of time and effort is required for placement of the shield. Likewise, the shield can be readily removed by a work man when necessary, e.g., for painting of the interior of the member in which the shield is mounted. Also, the shield can be placed back in the member without scratching the member due to the nature of the material of the resilient retaining means.

The shield can also be constructed with suitable dimensions so as to be used with steel plates ranging from three-eighths to seven-eighths inch of thickness. Further, the shield can be modified in construction so as to' withstand high wind velocity and fluttering. Also, where air flow is not required the internal section can be made solid.

What is claimed is:

1. A hole shield including a one-piece body of flat profile having a peripheral ring section for abutting an outside surface of an apertured member and an internal mesh section of grid like construction including a plurality of criss-crossed struts for disposition over the aperture of the member, said body including at least one resilient retaining means thereon, said retaining means including a tab extending radially from said ring section for engaging on one side of the apertured member, and a portion hingedly connected to said ring section and extending radially from said ring section to engage an opposite surface of the apertured member, said portion being spaced axially from said tab and angularly disposed to project towards said tab to clamp the member therebetween. I

2. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means has a leg portion extending from said ring section and a foot portion extending from said leg portion towards the projected plane of said ring sectron.

3. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 further having a lip extending axially from said ring section to locate said shield in an apertured member.

4. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 including a pair of said retaining means on opposite sides of said ring section.

5. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of said tabs extending from said ring section and out of the plane of said ring section on opposite sides of the portion for abutting said apertured member.

6. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is of flexible construction.

7. In combination a structural member having at least one aperture therein, and

a hole shield of one piece flexible construction removably mounted on said member in covering relation over the aperture of said member, said shield having at least one resilient retaining means extending therefrom in clamping engagement with said member, said retaining means including a portion extending from said ring section and resiliently engaging an inside surface of said member with said ring section engaging an opposite outside surface of said member.

8 The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shield has an internal mesh section of grid-like construction.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shield is flexible about a longitudinal axis thereof and said retaining means extends transversely of said axis.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of tabs extending from said ring section on opposite sides of said portion in engagement with said outside surface of said member.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said member is a box girder.

12. A hole shield including a one-piece flexible body of substantially flat profile having a peripheral ring section and an internal section, said body including at least one resilient retaining means secured to said ring section for securing said body in an aperture of an apertured member, said retaining means having a leg portion extending from said ring section, a foot portion extending from said leg portion towards the projected 4 plane of said ring section, and a pair of tabs extending from said ring section on opposite sides of said leg portion for clamping an apertured memberbetween said foot portion and said tabs.

13. A hole shield including a one-piece body of flat profile having a peripheral ring section and an internal section within said ring section for disposition over an apertured member, said body including at least one resilient retaining means extending therefrom adjacent said ring section for clamping to the apertured member, said retaining means including a tab extending radially from said ring section for engaging one side of the apertured member and a portion hingedly connected to and extending from said ring section to engage an opposite surface of the apertured member from said tab, said portion being spaced axially from said tab and angularly disposed to project towards said tab to clamp the apertured member therebetween.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE @ER'HWCATE @E QQR EC'NGN Patent No. 3 9 Dated September 19, 1972 r Chester A. Irvine Inventofls) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent-are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 2, ".19 1/2" shouldbe --9 1/2.

si ned and sealed this 29th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR'. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) UsCOMM-DC sows-pus k U.S. GOVERNIENT PRINTING OFFICE l9! O-flli-Sli 

1. A hole shield including a one-piece body of flat profile having a peripheral ring section for abutting an outside surface of an apertured member and an internal mesh section of grid like construction including a plurality of criss-crossed struts for disposition over the aperture of the member, said body including at least one resilient retaining means thereon, said retaining means including a tab extending radially from said ring section for engaging on one side of the apertured member, and a portion hingedly connected to said ring section and extending radially from said ring section to engage an opposite surface of the apertured member, said portion being spaced axially from said tab and angularly disposed to project towards said tab to clamp the member therebetween.
 2. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means has a leg portion extending from said ring section and a foot portion extending from said leg portion towards the projected plane of said ring section.
 3. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 further having a lip extending axially from said ring section to locate said shield in an apertured member.
 4. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 including a pair of said retaining means on opposite sides of said ring section.
 5. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of said tabs extending from said ring section and out of the plane of said ring section on opposite sides of the portion for abutting said apertured member.
 6. A hole shield as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is of flexible construction.
 7. In combination a structural member having at least one aperture therein, and a hole shield of one piece flexible construction removably mounted on said member in covering relation over the aperture of said member, said shield having at least one resilient retaining means extending therefrom in clamping engagement with said member, said retaining means including a portion extending from said ring section and resiliently engaging an inside surface of said member with said ring section engaging an opposite outside surface of said member.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shield has an internal mesh section of grid-like construction.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shield is flexible about a longitudinal axis thereof and said retaining means extends transversely of said axis.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of tabs extending from said ring section on opposite sides of said portion in engagement with said outside surface of said member.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said member is a box girder.
 12. A hole shield including a one-piece flexible body of substantially flat profile having a peripheral ring section and an internal section, said body including at least one resilient retaining means secured to said ring section for securing said body in an aperture of an apertured member, said retaining means having a leg portion extending from said ring section, a foot portion extending from said leg portion towards the projected plane of said ring section, and a pair of tabs extending from said ring section on opposite sides of said leg portion for clamping an apertured member between said foot portion and said tabs.
 13. A hole shield including a one-piece body of flat profile having a peripheral ring section and an internal section within said ring section for disposition over an apertured member, said body including at least one resilient retaining means extending therefrom adjacent said ring section for clamping to the apertured member, said retaining means including a tab extending radially from said ring section for engaging one side of the apertured member and a portion hingedly connected to and extending from said ring section to engage an opposite surface of the apertured member from said tab, said portion being spaced axially from said tab and angularly disposed to project towards said tab to clamp the apertured member therebetween. 